Deputy Editor Andrew arrived at ESPNcricinfo via Manchester and Cape Town, after finding the assistant editor at a weak moment as he watched England's batting collapse in the Newlands Test. Andrew began his cricket writing as a freelance covering Lancashire during 2004 when they were relegated in the County Championship. In fact, they were top of the table when he began reporting on them but things went dramatically downhill. He likes to let people know that he is a supporter of county cricket, a fact his colleagues will testify to and bemoan in equal quantities.

D'Arcy Short has reflected on a "whirlwind" rise from the fringes of the Australian domestic scene to pushing for a place in next year's World Cup squad.

Since the beginning of the last Australian season he has helped his state, Western Australia, win the JLT one-day cup, enjoyed a prolific Big Bash with Hobart Hurricanes, where he was the tournament's leading scorer as they reached the final, made his T20I debut and earned an IPL deal.

Now an ODI debut is on the horizon, with Short the favourite to take David Warner's opening spot alongside Aaron Finch when the one-day series against England starts next week.

All this for a player who, having first played state cricket in 2011 before drifting to the margins of the set-up over the next six years, almost packed it in.

"I was probably close to giving it up for a while," Short said after training at Lord's on Tursday, his first experience of the famous ground. "It's been quite a whirlwind experience in the last 12 months."

His BBL exploits earned him an Australia call-up for the T20 tri-series involving England and New Zealand plus an IPL contract Rajasthan Royals. Internationally he was an instant hit, making 196 runs in five innings, including 76 off 44 balls in the world-record run chase at Eden Park.

The IPL proved somewhat less successful - a brace of 44s the peak of his seven outings - but he hopes to put the lessons to good use.

"The IPL experience was quite a different one for me, I struggled a little bit at the start - got run out twice which wasn't the greatest start for me - but it was definitely a good experience in the end and hopefully I've learnt a lot from it.

"I faced a lot of spin over there so hopefully I can put that to use. Working on that and different parts of my game rather than being one-dimensional."

He spent time developing his left-arm wristspin by working with Shane Warne. "It's come a long way in a short amount of time and I'm feeling pretty confident with it," he said, a hint, perhaps, that it will be seen during the one-day series.

One of the key figures in the revival of Short's career has been the man now in charge of the Australia team - Justin Langer. It was Langer who implored Short to get fit and then brought him into the WA side for the JLT Cup. No wonder he's comfortable around the new man in charge.

"It's definitely familiar, just feels like it's different colours. I get along with him well," Short said.

Short's story is significant for more than just the fact he has rejuvenated his career. He is also the first Indigenous Australian batsman to represent his country and just the sixth Indigenous cricketer overall after Dan Christian, Jason Gillespie, Scott Boland, Faith Thomas and Ash Gardner.

Short was due to be part of the historic Indigenous tour of England, which is currently being undertaken by men's and women's teams, marking the 150-year anniversary of the first tour made in 1868.

His full international call superseded that trip - which includes Christian, Boland and Gardner - but Short remains very aware of its significance. It was playing for an Australian Indigenous XI during a tournament in Brisbane last year that helped Short on his way back.

"I think it puts a little bit of belief into them [Indigenous players] that they can go further," Short said when asked about being a role model. "It certainly did for me, getting a go there then making my way into the state side and then the Aussie side. It's certainly a good pathway for them.